“You’re doing good, Jare. Real good.” Declan said a few days later, outside while they were working on marksmanship and close combat fighting.  Declan clapped him on the back after Jared had just fired four perfect rounds into the sandbags Gideon had replaced.

 

“This isn't my first time, you know,” Jared reminded him testily. “Rae and I handled plenty of attacks at the shelter.” He had never actually shot anyone, but still.

 

Rae puffed out her chest. “Yeah, it’s not like you’re the only one in this family who has fought against the Agents.” She looked at Declan in disgust. “Although you are the only one who has fought with them.” She roped Declan back into their sparring match, getting a quick and dirty hit to his side.

 

“Shit!” Declan rolled away and jumped agilely to his feet. “Dammit, I said I’m sorry, okay? How many times do I have to tell you two, I only met with Vivienne to protect you!” He blocked a jab from Rae, twisting her arm up and around so that her body was pinned in front of his. “Check your pride, and save your anger for when it will count for something useful.”

 

Jared flicked the safety on his pistol and holstered it in his jeans. For the last week, they had been training by day and reviewing maps and plans with Gideon by night. Jared crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared at Declan, just as hesitant to forgive Declan’s cover-up as Rae seemed to be. “And when will that be?” He tossed his hair out of his eyes with an angry jerk of his head.

 

“As soon as you cut your damn hair,” Declan retorted. “We go on a job, that shit’s gonna get in your way. How the hell long has it been since Rae clipped it?”

 

“Nice dodge, jerk.”

 

“Seriously.” Rae ripped herself away from Declan’s grip. “All we’ve done is play pretend. You worked with dad for years, fighting against Agents. Jared and I spent years fending them off at shelters, protecting rescues there. Not to mention all the drills Dad put us through.” She wiped sweat off her brow with her forearm. “We all know we’re ready to intercept some Agent ass. What the hell are we waiting for?”

 

Declan tossed her a water bottle. “Trust me, I’m wondering the same thing. I’ve got half a mind to hijack Gideon’s map and take us the hell out of here, but he gave Slater my truck.”

 

A melodic, feminine voice floated past. “I’d let you use mine, Declan Cooper, but not if you drive the way you fight.”

 

Declan spun around, grinning at the regal, dark skinned woman gliding into the backyard alongside Gideon. “Iris Chambeaux. Come here, gorgeous.” Declan pulled her into a hug. “Damn, it’s good to see you.”

 

“And you.” Iris lifted a slender hand to Declan’s cheek, looking deep into his eyes. “You’ve seen much violence, since last we met.” Her gaze roamed over his face before she wrapped him in another hug. “Oh, Declan. We miss him too.”

 

Declan pulled away. “I’m fine.”

 

“Of course you are.” Iris turned striking violet eyes on Rae. “You must be RaeLynn. Your daddy spoke quite highly of you. It was like he was missing a piece of his heart, every time he had to leave you.” She took in Rae’s remarkable cheekbones and sky blue eyes. “It is easy to see Johnathan in you.” Iris opened her arms for a hug, an invitation Rae instantly accepted.

 

Pulling back, she asked, “You knew my dad?”

 

Iris hummed in acknowledgement. “And he would scold your older brother for not making proper introductions.” She cocked her head to look at Jared. “Not that I need them.”

 

Jared fidgeted, edging closer to Rae, moving his left arm to hide it behind her back. Even with his cuff, his short sleeves made him feel far too naked and exposed. Iris chuckled, the sound pleasant, like wind chimes fluttering in a mild breeze. “No need to hide, bébé. I know what you are.” Jared stilled when strong, slender fingers wrapped around his left wrist. Her touch was cool and refreshing on his skin.

 

Jared dropped his eyes downward, his brows knitting in confusion at feeling the soothing touch, seeing as his scar was covered by his leather cuff. "How can you-"

 

"You are training to help the Renegades,” she surmised smoothly, ignoring him. “You don’t yet quite realize what a fighter you are. But you’ve been on the bad side of more than one Agent raid, haven't you, bébé?"

 

Jared had a feeling that she already knew the answer. "Yes ma'am."

 

"Hmm." She lifted her other hand and cupped his cheek, a smile crossing her face when Jared unconsciously leaned into the touch. After a moment, her mouth curved upwards. "He’ll come back okay. You’ll see.”

 

Declan put his hands on Iris’ shoulders. “Don’t you go encouraging that. I’ve got enough shit going on.”

 

“Hmm, but that’s not about you, is it, Declan?” Iris brought her hands up to give his a squeeze.

 

Rae stared at Iris, open mouthed. “How do you-“

 

“Get those filthy hands off my woman, son.” Gideon scolded amicably. “She’s too good for you.”

 

Declan winked at Rae and Jared. “Relax, old man. I’ve got no claims towards your girlfriend.”

 

“What am I, in high school? I don’t have a girlfriend.” Gideon huffed. He threw a thick, muscular arm around Iris’s slim waist. “Come here, gorgeous.” Jared blushed at their deep, intimate kiss. “Thought you were bringing those Prescott brothers with ya.”

 

“I did.” Her voice floated across the air, and Jared thought it was one of the prettiest sounds he had ever heard. “They’re checking into another location, a few miles from here. Figured it was smartest not to have too many of us in one spot.” Iris gave Gideon a shove. “Let’s go, soldier. Get these kids inside so I can talk with them good and proper.”

 

Gideon winked at her. “Lead the way, darlin’.”

 

 

Jared threw on a zip up hoodie upon coming inside, feeling more secure now that he had on long sleeves again. He listened as Gideon and Iris caught them up on the latest movement within the Renegades, by way of flirty, casual conversation.

 

“Iris is a coordinator for the Renegades, one of the best we got. She’s like the Gideon of the south,” Declan explained, winking at Iris.

 

Gideon nodded. “Based in Louisiana ‘cause she can’t control herself livin’ up here with me.”

 

“I’d tire you out, being in your hair all the time.”

 

“Ugh, you guys are gross. I’m so jealous,” Rae pouted.

 

Gideon chuckled. “You’re a handful, honey, and I mean that in the best way. Gonna take one hell of a man to match you.”

 

“Since when did we all become so interested in playing matchmaker?” Declan grumbled. “Last I checked, the Renegades were a counter-Agent group, not a forever after love agency.”

 

“You’re too right, darlin’,” Iris agreed. “But this life works in funny ways, hmm?” She sat down next to Declan, filling them all in on the two Renegades she had brought with her. “Kip and Tate found a place for us a few miles down the road. Didn’t want to crowd y’all too much. They’re just coming back from a small raid, out in Garland, Wyoming.” She clicked her tongue. “Had some shady stuff go down there. This Vivienne, she does not play fair. No, no.” Iris rested a calming hand on Jared’s shoulder, as if she could sense the tremors building within him.

 

Jared set down his sandwich, his stomach giving an unpleasant lurch at her statement. He played with his bracelet, fighting the urge to get up from the table and escape all of the reminders of the current state of rescues. Jared tried to push the thoughts away and breathe through the familiar sense of panic that threatened to overtake him, but his body wouldn't listen. His heart rate soared, and he tapped his fingers against the table to try and stop his hands from shaking.

 

“Hey.” Rae nudged him, pressing her shoulder against his. “Don’t do that. You aren’t to be blamed for getting out, Jare.”

 

Jared braced his forearms on the table and closed his eyes, forcing himself to take deep breaths through his nose. Sweat beaded across his forehead, his leg bouncing out a rapid tattoo against the bottom of the table.

 

Rae reached over and put her hand on his knee. “Jared,” she said sharply. “Look at me.” Jared shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut even tighter, trying to block it all out; the images of other ditchbreeds getting caught while he hid inside filthy alleyway dumpsters, the looks of disgust he would get when someone noticed his stain, the terrified expression on that one girl’s face as she got grabbed and hauled into the back of a truck while Jared remained unnoticed behind a mess of-

 

“Jared.” Rae squeezed his leg, harder, pinching the nerves on either side of his knee. Jared forced himself to open his eyes. He struggled to bring his sister’s face into focus. “Look at me. You got me? This isn’t your fault.”

 

Jared’s thoughts were racing a mile a minute, on pace with the frantic vibrations coursing through his body. He shouldn't be able to sit here having lunch while others were being hunted, kidnapped, killed.  “I shouldn't be here,” Jared cried, his hands shaking rapidly against the tabletop. He shouldn’t be sitting at this table, food in front of him, safe and warm while so many others fought for their lives. Oh God, and now there was Iris, and she brought two other people with her, strangers, and Jared had no way of knowing if they would hate him, or not even want to look at him, or-

 

“Pull it back, Jare.” Declan commanded. Two strong hands came down hard on his shoulders, gripping them tight. “Keep your eyes open. Look at Rae, and just breathe. I got you, Jare.” Declan intoned. His voice was smooth and even, and Jared reached out for it like a lifeline, using Declan’s voice and Rae’s bright blue eyes to anchor him. “You’re okay, Jare. It’ll be okay.”

 

“Bébé.” Iris wrapped his hands in hers, absorbing the tremors. “You just bring yourself back down, hmm? That’s right, you just let yourself feel safe here.” Her hands were cool and strong, and Jared gripped them tight, allowing the connection to float him back to reality.

 

“Breathe. In and out, that’s it.” Declan gentled his voice in time with Jared’s breath, now coming in determined gasps rather than frantic bursts. One by one they slowed down, longer inhales and exhales, calmed by Declan’s hands on his shoulders, Rae’s soothing blue eyes, and Iris’s fingers holding his tight.

 

Panic attacks weren't nearly as common for him as they used to be, but it was still more than a little embarrassing when they came over him, no matter how many times Rae or Declan had soothed him through one. He was glad Reese hadn't been here to see it, though Jared realized he didn’t feel the same sense of embarrassment in front of Iris. Pulling his hands from hers, Jared wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs. He pushed out a long, slow breath. “I’m good.”

 

Declan tipped Jared’s chin up, forcing him to meet his eyes. “You good?”

 

Jared nodded, running his hands up and down his thighs, more to keep busy as he came down from his panic than out of nervousness. “I’m good.” He jumped out of his chair, pacing the length of Gideon’s kitchen to work out his leftover energy. “I just can’t sit around and do nothing, you know? Not while this is all happening. We knew that even before dad died that it was getting worse. I know we needed to lay low for awhile,” Jared held up his hand when Gideon opened his mouth. He turned pleading eyes on Rae and Declan in turn. “But not anymore. I just can’t anymore.”

 

Declan slammed his beer bottle down onto the table. “Hear, hear.”

 

Rae’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “I couldn't agree more, bro.”

 

They all swung their heads towards Gideon, who held up both of his hands. “Iris brought her boys up here, that means my girl has something for us.” Before he could get confirmation, the familiar rumbling of an engine sounded from outside. Gideon and Declan exchanged a look.

 

“That had better be Slater with my truck.” Declan said, grabbing his gun and crossed the distance to Gideon’s front windows.

 

Gideon wasn’t taking any chances. “Get out of sight, both of you.” He herded Jared and Rae along the inner wall of living room office.

 

Taking a peek between the blinds, Declan tucked his gun back into his jeans. “It’s Slater,” he confirmed.

 

Frustrated at being pushed aside, Jared rounded on Gideon. “You can’t hide us every time there might be danger, you know.” Recent panic attack notwithstanding, Jared had done enough hiding to last five lifetimes.

 

“While you’re under my roof, son, I damn well can,” Gideon declared.

 

Reese didn't so much walk through the door as crash through it, grabbing their attention with his curse as it swung open harder than expected. He hunched over the knob, putting all of his weight onto his left leg as he stood in Gideon’s archway. “I don’t wanna put anyone out,” Reese said through gritted teeth, “but could someone grab a couple towels? Don't wanna bleed all over Hatch’s pretty floor.” There was a thick patch of blood soaked through Reese’s pant leg, almost completely covering his right thigh.

 

Declan instinctively reached out to catch Reese as he started to stumble. His face was pale, though his grip on Declan’s arm looked strong enough.

 

“Jared. Go upstairs, grab some towels and the first aid kit from under the bathroom sink,” Iris instructed. Jared raced upstairs to do as he was told, but could still hear Gideon’s gruff voice as he addressed Reese. ‘Shit, I don’t care about the floors. What the hell happened?”

 

Jared was back downstairs before Reese had even had a chance to respond. Declan dropped him not so ceremoniously onto Gideon’s couch, and Jared slid a large towel onto the coffee table before helping Reese lift his leg to rest on top of it. “I was getting the last of the rescues into the truck, and some bastard Agent got a shot off.”

 

Jared grabbed a pair of scissors from the first aid kit and starting cutting Reese’s pant leg away, tearing upwards from the ankle. He stopped just above the wound, which cut in to Reese’s outer thigh. Jared winced at the sight of the old rag that had been stuffed between the wound and Reese’s jeans.

 

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Just a graze. They missed the good stuff.” Reese winked at him, but his eyes fell shut when Jared applied a damp cloth to the wound. Jared held it there a moment to ensure a clearer workspace, then began to clean away the dried blood.

 

“You get ‘em all out?” Gideon asked Reese.

 

Reese nodded. “We got them all to the shelter you found. Agents tailed me for awhile, but I think I lost them. I called a couple other Renegades for backup, told them to keep an eye on the shelter for a few days just in case.” He gestured to his leg. “Got this loading the last rescue into the truck. A child, for shit’s sake.” Reese leaned to his left side to fish something out of his pocket. He tossed Declan the keys to the bronco. “Thanks for that.”

 

Declan deftly caught the keys. “How many Agents?”

 

“Maybe ten, give or take.” Reese gestured down to his leg. “It’s really not that bad. I got luckier than some.”

 

Gideon and Declan exchanged a look. “Casualties?”

 

Reese shook his head. “Nothing fatal. Another runner got hit as soon as the Agents showed up. Upper shoulder. Her partner, the only tracker there, by the way-“ Reese glared at Gideon, “got her into their van. Sent me off quick, said he’d take her to a hospital once they dropped off their load.” He sucked in a breath as Jared prodded his wound. Reese nodded his thanks to Rae when she pressed a glass of whiskey into his hand.

 

“Shit.” Gideon swung around, started digging through his desk drawers. “I knew that was a bad one.”

 

“Just means they’re the fun ones.” Reese looked down at his leg, where Jared had gotten it cleaned of all the dirt and dried blood. “Gonna be good as new, right sweet-”

 

Declan cut him off with a growl. “Any Agent losses?”

 

Reese threw back half his shot of whiskey. “None that I’m aware of.” 

 

Jared looked up at Reese. “You might want to finish that,” he said, nodding to the alcohol in Reese’s hand. “This part is going to hurt.”

 

Reese hissed as Jared wiped a cloth laden heavily with antiseptic over his wound. “Didn't have any damn backup,” Reese gritted out, talking to distract from the pain. “What the hell, Hatch? I thought you said a contingent of Renegades was going to meet us.”

 

“I thought they were,” Gideon growled, grabbing his phone.

 

“This isn't gonna work if we are shorthanded for every damn raid,” Reese called out in Gideon’s direction, cursing again as Jared patted his wound dry.

 

“Sorry,” Jared said. “Almost done. You’re right, it’s just a graze. You don’t even need stitches. I’ll tape it real good, it should hold.” He pressed a clean pad of gauze over the wound on Reese’s thigh. The corner of Reese’s mouth lifted, and Jared focused much more intently than necessary on ripping a two pieces of medical tape of the roll to avoid thinking about how that mouth had felt on his.

 

“You look pretty beat, for a guy who only got grazed.” Declan leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

 

Reese met his challenging gaze. “Yeah, not eating for two days and then losing a couple cc’s of blood will do that to you.”

 

“You look as handsome as ever, cher.” Iris had deferred to Jared on the first aid but came near them now, her violet eyes gleaming as she bent over to give Reese a kiss on the cheek. She wandered an approving eye over Reese’s leg. “And didn’t he get you fixed up right.”

 

“Miss Iris, seeing you is all the balm I need for this wound.” Reese smiled that dazzling smile in her direction. Jared peeked up from underneath his bangs to study his face, wishing he could be the one to put a smile that big on Reese’s face. Reese sure hadn’t had trouble leaving Jared after that kiss the other morning. Jared felt his cheeks heat, thinking about how badly he wanted to feel Reese’s lips on his again...

 

Gideon walked back into the living room, his lumbering steps interrupting Jared’s thoughts. He looked at Rae and Declan. “You two come here a minute,” Gideon said, gesturing them to his desk.

 

Jared pressed his fingers over the two pieces of tape securing Reese’s bandage, making sure they stuck. Here he was feeling nervous about a kiss, while he had his hands all over Reese’s thigh. “Done. I think you'll live,” Jared said lightly, his face still hot. He busied himself with cleaning up, stuffing the towels and used wipes into a plastic bag.

 

Reese shot out an arm when Jared stood to get rid of the waste. “You’ve done this before.”

 

Jared shrugged, looking down at Reese’s bandage instead of into those deep, ocean eyes. “Lots of times, for Declan. And my dad. Sometimes they’d come home pretty banged up. Rae and I got real good at first aid.” He didn't mention that he’d also had to do it on himself more than once.

 

“Yeah, well.” Reese wrapped calloused fingers around Jared’s wrist. “Thanks.”

 

Jared swallowed, finally dragging his eyes up Reese’s body. He dropped his gaze to Reese’s mouth, and felt a coil of heat shoot through his belly when Reese turned his hand to wrap Jared’s fingers in his.

 

“Jared.” Declan uttered, jaw locked tight.

 

Iris shushed him and, satisfied that Reese was in good hands with Jared, wandered over to the front door.

 

“So, when are your buddies coming to meet up with us?” Rae asked Iris, stopping Declan’s rant before it could start.

 

“They know where I live?” Gideon asked.

 

Iris opened the door just before two handsome men walked inside. “They sure do. Darlings, meet Kip and Tate Prescott.” Jared’s hand unconsciously tightened around Reese’s as they entered Gideon’s house.

 

Gideon strode to the entryway and caught Tate, taller of the two, up in a rough hug. “Damn, boy, am I glad to see you.”

 

“Hey there, Hatch.” Tate grinned. “Glad to see age hasn’t gotten the best of you.”

 

“Met your brother years back through Iris,” Gideon said, extending an arm towards Kip. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

 

“Likewise.” Kip replied, shaking Gideon’s hand.

 

“Son of a bitch.” Declan grinned, extending his arm towards Tate and receiving a hearty slap on the back in return. “Knew I recognized your name.”

 

“Good to see you again, Declan.” Tate drawled, a hint of Cajun spice tinging his voice. “Been too long.”

 

“Sure has.” Declan gestured behind him. “This is my sister Rae, and my brother Jared.” Almost as an afterthought, he included Reese. “And Reese Slater. He’s a runner that works with Gideon.”

 

“It’s nice to meet y’all,” Tate said, tipping an imaginary hat. “Declan and I worked a job together what, six years ago?” He gestured to the man behind him. “This is my brother Kip. He ain't much to look at, but he can handle a gun, so we keep him around.” He winked at Rae, all easy charm and lazy confidence, and Jared felt himself relaxing slightly.

 

Jared didn’t make any move to extract his hand from Reese’s though, and he barely resisted the urge to palm his wrist, to push his bracelet into his scar to feel the burn he knew would help distract from his nerves.

 

Reese gave his hand a gentle squeeze, and Jared calmed once more.

 

“So what makes you tag along with Iris? Couldn’t be because you missed this guy’s pretty face.” Declan nodded towards Gideon.

 

Tate grinned, his rugged mountain features softening a bit with the look. “Thinking about taking a job while we’re out here, down near Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Blaine and Brandt say a raid is going down in a couple of days just outside there. Pretty big sanctuary city, Pine Bluff. We’re hoping we can stop the Agent advance, or maybe even get the rescues out ahead of time. No word yet on backup though, and Kip and I can’t go in blind.”

 

“Well, we could.” Kip said, a cocky smile on his face.

 

Iris smacked him upside the head. “I am not losing one of my boys, so that’s about enough out of you.”

 

Rae turned a questioning look to Gideon. “Blaine and Brandt?”

 

“Twins, up in New York State.” Gideon replied. “Biggest gossips you ever met, but damned if they aren’t always right.”

 

Kip chuckled. “Haven’t steered us wrong yet. But Iris said she was stopping here first, to see all y’all, and we didn’t want to miss a chance to meet the famous Coopers.” He smiled amicably. “Well, me at least. Seems Tate already knows Declan.”

 

“We can have time to get to know each other. I’ll go with you to Pine Bluff.” Declan offered.

 

“Me too.” Rae said.

 

“Declan?” Jared didn’t hear the next couple of questions Declan was asking the Prescotts, trying to find out more about Pine Bluff. All these strangers combined with the prospect of a new job had Jared’s head buzzing. He hadn’t been lying earlier when he’d said he’d felt useless and that he was itching to help the Renegades, but this was all happening a bit fast for Jared to process.

 

“You can stay here, Jare.” Declan said. “Maybe have Gideon and Iris teach you a thing or two about coordinating jobs. Wouldn’t hurt to learn from the best.”

 

That cleared his head. He dropped Reese’s hand and crossed his arms. “No.”

 

“Alright now.” Gideon interjected. “Let these boys come in. We can talk about who is going where over some dinner. I’ll do some digging, see if I can’t find something out that will prove you won’t be caught blindsided again.”

 

"Yeah, be glad you weren't in Wyoming,” Tate told Declan. He rubbed a hand down his face. “It was a shitshow start to finish."

 

Rae quirked a brow. "What do you mean?"

 

"Weren't no damn rescues," Kip answered. "It was a trap. Agents caught us moving in on a non-existent camp. We held them off, but not without casualty. Lost one of our trackers."

 

Declan’s mouth thinned. "Who?"

 

"Dan Talbot."

 

"Dammit." Gideon shook his head.

 

"Yeah, it played out beautifully," Kip commented, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "Like we'd been setup."

 

"Could have sworn my intel on that was good," Gideon muttered. He looked at Reese. "And you were caught short handed in Salt Lake."

 

Declan grunted, and Tate raised his brows at them in question.

 

"Ours was a rescue interception, but we were down half our team." Reese supplied. He frowned. "And now that I've had time to think about it, the numbers were pretty damn skewed. Almost a dozen agents, eight rescues, and three of us."

 

"Wyoming didn't work like that anyway," Tate cut in. "No rescues in sight, and the Agents weren't after any one of us specifically. They were after our whole damn group. And they were damn sure more concerned with shooting than asking questions."

 

Jared hugged his arms tighter to his chest. "So either the Agents aren't feeling very sure of themselves..."

 

"Or they want to ensure that there no Renegade survivors after each raid." Gideon finished. He shared a look with Iris and then turned a somber look towards the room. “I sure as hell ain’t sending one more Renegade into a setup. No one goes to Pine Bluff until I verify it’s legit,” Gideon said, his hard tone brooking no argument. “Someone get some dinner on. I’m going to make some calls.”